Brown, others suspended for violating COVID rules
TAMPA, FLA. >> The NFL has suspended Bucs receiver Antonio Brown, safety Mike Edwards and former Bucs receiver John Franklin III three games without pay for using fake COVID-19 vaccination cards.
All three players accepted their discipline and waived their right to an appeal, the league said in a statement released Thursday.
The league began its investigation after the Tampa Bay Times reported that Brown obtained and utilized a fake COVID-19 vaccination card, according to his former live-in chef, Steven Ruiz.
The NFL Players Association represented all three players during a joint review that supported the allegations. Brown, Edwards, a cornerback, and Franklin, a defensive back who last played for the Bucs in 2019, were found in violation of the protocols. DEFENSE LIFTS COWBOYS TO WIN ON TNF >> CeeDee Lamb had 122 yards from scrimmage, Tony Pollard had a 58-yard touchdown run and the Dallas defense produced timely sacks and turnovers in the Cowboys’ victory over New Orleans.
The Cowboys intercepted Saints quarterback Taysom Hill three times in the final 6:32 of the game, including defensive tackle Carlos Watkins’ pick-6 on a screen pass that made it 27-10 with 2:52 left.
Pro basketball
JAMES CLEARED TO RETURN >> LeBron James has been cleared to return to the Los Angeles Lakers after missing one game under the NBA’s health and safety protocols.
The league said that James is not positive for COVID-19 despite a series of tests that produced conflicting results earlier this week. Additional testing cleared James to play when the Lakers host the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night. SORE FOOT DELAYS WILLIAMSON’S RETURN >> Soreness in Zion Williamson’s surgically repaired right foot derailed plans for the 2020 All-Star forward to take part in his first full practice of the season, team officials said.
Now the plan is to rest the 2019 top overall draft choice for a few days to see if pain subsides, firstyear Pelicans coach Willie Green said.
The Pelicans have started the season 6-18 without Williamson, who has not played in a game this season but appeared to be closer to returning to action when the club said last week that he had been cleared to participate in fullspeed five-on-five drills. BUCKS’ LOPEZ UNDERGOES BACK SURGERY >> Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez has undergone surgery to address the back injury that has kept him from playing since the opening game of the season.
Team officials didn’t provide a timetable for his eventual return.
Lopez played 28 minutes and had eight points, five rebounds and three blocks in a season-opening victory over the Brooklyn Nets, but the 7-footer hasn’t played since. The 33-year-old center is in his fourth season with the Bucks and 14th season overall.
He averaged 12.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks last season while helping the Bucks win the NBA title.
Tennis
IOC SAYS IT HAD 2ND VIDEO CALL WITH PENG SHUAI >> The International Olympic Committee said it held a second video call with Peng Shuai but again didn’t release any video or transcript nor make any reference to the tennis player’s sexual assault allegation against a former Chinese government official.
The Grand Slam doubles champion and three-time Olympian dropped out of public view after making her accusation, prompting the women’s professional tennis tour to suspend its tournaments in China.
As Beijing finishes preparations to host the Winter Olympics beginning Feb. 4, the IOC revealed it held a second video call with Peng following IOC President Thomas Bach’s recent statement that he spoke with her on a 30-minute video call and that she appeared to be “doing fine.”
Golf
MCILROY PART OF 3-WAY TIE FOR LEAD IN BAHAMAS >> Rory McIlroy has gone from tears at the Ryder Cup to some of his best golf of the year, recording a 6-under 66 to share the lead with Daniel Berger and Abraham Ancer in the Hero World Challenge.
He had six birdies and chipped in for eagle on the reachable par-4 14th for another good start.
Berger birdied his opening four holes, made an eagle on the par-5 11th and stayed ahead of the 20-man field most of the day until the end. From the 18th fairway, into the wind with water guarding the left side of the green, he missed well to the right, his chip didn’t reach the green and he had to make a 5-footer to escape with bogey.
Soccer
RONALDO REACHES 800 CAREER GOALS >> Cristiano Ronaldo reached 800 career goals with a double that secured Manchester United a 3-2 victory against Arsenal in the Premier League, as interim manager Ralf Rangnick saw his new team triumph from the stands.
Ronaldo scored the winner from the penalty spot after his first goal allowed him to reach 800 for his career for club and country.
College football
VIRGINIA COACH MENDENHALL STEPPING DOWN >> Virginia coach Bronco Mendenhall is stepping down after the Cavaliers play their bowl game, ending his tenure at the school after six seasons.
The surprising announcement came in a news release and gave no explanation as to why the 55-yearold Mendenhall was leaving the school after a 6-6 regular season. There was no mention of retirement. NEBRASKA QB MARTINEZ PUTS NAME IN TRANSFER PORTAL >> Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez announced he will enter the transfer portal, another blow for the struggling Cornhuskers.
The three-time captain completed his best season in 2021, completing 61.8% of his throws for 2,863 yards with 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for a career-best rating of 149.0. He played in 39 games during his four-year career, going 14-25 while winning just eight Big Ten games.